Concrete mixer



J. G. WYNN CONCRETE MIXER Filed Sept. 1 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 2,

.1. G. WYNN' I v CONCRETE MIXER Filed Sept. 1, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z22 I u (mam Patented June 2, 1925.

UNITED. STATES PATENT for-Fl JOHN G. WYNN, OF MA DISON, WISCONSIN.

CONCRETE MIXER.

Application filed September 1, 1921. Serial No. 497,581.

To all "whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, JOHN G. WYNN, a citizen of the United States,residing at- Madison, in the county of Dane and State of \Visconsin,have invented a certain new and My invention relates to concrete mixers.It is one of the principal objects of the present invention to providean improved construction of portable concrete mixer embodied in the formof a two-wheeled trailer vehicle. The embodiment of a power drivenconcrete mixing apparatus in a two-wheeled trailer introduces newproblems,'involving the distribution of weight on the vehicle; thestability of the trailer when uncoupled and lowered for operation; thelocation of the pouring edge of the mixer and its accessibility-to thewheelbarrows; the freedom of the mixer and power driving mechanisms frominjurious shock and vibration when'the trailer is hauled at a high rateof speed over uneven roads, etc. The mixing apparatus and power drivingmechanism disclosed in the present application are of such form and areso related and mounted on the trailer vehicle as to provide a properweight dis-. tribution and stability during operation, to accessiblydispose the pouring edge of the mixer, and to resiliently mount themixer and and power driving mechanism. This will be more apparent fromthe following detailed description of the construction of the mixer.

The drive is transmitted to the mixing barrel through a flexible drivingmember, such as a chain, which partly encircles the mixing barrel andpreferably assists in supporting the latter. There is a tendency for thewet concrete and water to flow down on the lower surface of the mixingbarrel after the latter has been tipped, or as a result of overflow, andthisconcrete and water tends to rust and cake concrete on the chain andits supporting sprockets. A further object in this regard is to providean im roved arrangement of channel hoop,whic supports the driving chainout of contact with the barrel and thereby preventsthe concrete andwater .on the outer surface of the barrel from reaching the chain. Thisconstructhe vertical flange of each horizontal ient manner'of securing apositive drive between the chain and the barrel.

()therobjects will be hereinafter set forth in the accompanying detaileddescription taken in connection wi-ththe drawings, in-

which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the trailer, partly in section, showingitcoupled to a pulling vehicle;

Figure 2 is a reduced rear endview of the trailer;

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevational View of'the spring suspensionfor the trailer;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view through the same taken on theplane of the line H of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional View through the mixing barrel,illustrating the channel hoop for supporting the chain; and

Figure 6' is a fragmentary side elevational view'of the same.

The trailer frame 10 is constructed practically entirely of bars ofstock section, such as angl'eirons, riveted or bolted together.

-Two substantially horizontal bars 11 form the main side members of theframe, these two bars being joined at their forward ends by a suitablemember12 which is adapted to have a coupling connection 13'with a draftconnection 14 extending back from the pulling vehicle 15. The draftconnection 14 is not always necessary, as the coupling connection 13 maybe-direct with the body or rear axleof the automobile 15. The rear endsof the horizontal bars 11"a're secured to two substantially verticalbars 16 between the upper ends of which is swung the mixing 1 barrel 17.An underslung bracing and resting support'is formed at each side of thetrailer frame by two-diagonal struts of angle section 18 and 19 whichare secured together at the intersection 21 and are spaced from theopposite pair by a transverse bar 22. The upper end of each upright 16which carries the load of the barrel mixer 17 is braced against diagonalstresses imposed by the tilting of the barrel by a diagonal bracing iron23 which extends down to the point of intersection 21 between the struts18 and 19. Each of these diagonal bracing members is preferably rivetedor otherwise secured to frame member 11 as indicated at 24.

Directly below each horizontal frame member 11 in the angle ofintersection between the upright 16 and strut i9 is mounted a lit?spring suspension member or block (Figures 3 and 4). Each blockcomprises a casting 26 having its central portion cut outto receive acompression spring 27 and the slidable axle block .28. The bottom of thecasting 26 is formed with a depending flange 29 towhich is riveted thehorizontal an 1e bar 11 as shown at 31. One, prefera bly there'arfvertical edge of the casting 26 is formed with an ear 32 to whichis bolted or riveted the upright bar 16. A transverse angle bar 33 issecured to the lower ends of both uprights 16 to transversely brace thelower part of the frame. The

. bearing block 28 is provided with vertical slots 34 along eachvertical edge which embrace a rib or flange 35 projecting inwardly fromthe casting 26 serving to guide the vertical sliding motion of the block28. The compression spring 27 is confined about circular lugs 36 and 37projec ting from the bearing block 28 and from the top of the casting 26respectively. The axle 38 extends through the bearing blocks 28 at eachside of the frame and mounts Wheels 39. These Wheels have resilienttires, preferably pneumatic, to minimize the shock and vibrationtransmitted to the'concrete mixer and engine when driving at a high rateof speed over uneven roads. 7 The spring suspension of the trailerafiorded by the compression springs 27 and slidable bearing blocks 28further assist in absorbing shock and vibration, and permits the'trailerto be drawn at a high rate of speed, such as is desirable in a smallunit of this type. The dotted line position in Figure 3 indicatessubstantially the position of the frame members when the trailer isunhitched and in position for operation of the mixing apparatus.

The engine 41 is preferably of a single cylinder type of anyconventional construction, and has its bed 42 secured upon twotransverse angle bars 43 extending across the top of the framemembers'll as through the medium of the longitudinal member 12. Asprocket 44 on the engine crank shaft con: nects through a sprocketchain 45 with a relatively larger sprocket 46 on a counter shaft 47.This counter shaft is suitably journaled in bearings 48 secured to thediagonal bracing members: 23. At the opposite end of the counter shaft47 from the large sprocket 46 is a relatively small sprocket 49 whichdrives a chain 51 extending up over a relatively large sprocket 52journaled at the upper end of one of the upright members 16. Where theupright 16 joins with its corresponding diagonal brace 23 is secured abearing bracket 53 which serves to join the members 16 and 23 and toprovide a bearing for the shaft 54 on which the sprocket 52 is mounted.The barrel 17 'is swung in a tilting frame '55 which has bearing supporton the bearing bracket 53 at one side of the barrel, and on the otherside of the barrel there is provided a similar bearing bracket 53 whichalso joins the frame members 16 and 23 on the other side of the vehicle.The frame 55 is adapted for rocking motion concentrically with the axisof the shaft 54 for raising or lowering the rear discharge mouth of themixing barrel 17. The rear part of this rocking frame 55 extends acrossthe back or bottom of the barrel 17 and is provided with a suitable hub56 for receiving a pivotal stud projecting from the rear or bottom headof the barrel. Attention is directed to my prior Patent .No. 1,369,870for details of this arrangement. An operating arm 57 extends forwardlyfrom the rear end of this frame in position to be manipulated by theoperator for raising or lowering the discharge mouth of the barrel.

The upright bars 16-16 are braced laterally for the support of thebarrel by diagonal struts 58-58 (Figure 2) which are secured at theirlower ends to an intermediate 7 point in the transverse frame member 38.

The barrel is adapted to be held in any one of a plurali y of inclinedpositions by a notched link 59 which is freely pivoted to therectangular or yoke-shaped barrel frame 55 and which has its lower endguided in a strap 61 secured to the adjacent upright 16. By lifting anyone of the notches in I i the rear edge of the link 59 out of engagementwith the bolt 62, the barrel can be rocked to any one of a plurality ofangular positions and locked in that position by the engagement of oneof these notches oier the bolt 62.

As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the upper part of the rocking frame 55which crosses the top of the barrel has secured thereto two bearingbrackets 64 in which are journaled small sprocket wheels 65. The lefthand sprocket wheel 65 (Fig. 5) is formed with a co-extensive bevel gear66 which meshes with a driving bevel gear 67. The bevel gear 67 isrigidly mounted on the inner end of the short shaft 54 which carries thesprocket wheel 52 and which is journaled in the bearing bracket 53.Thus, the drive transmitted to the shaft 54 from the sprocket 52 istransmitted through the bevel gears 67 and 66 and through the adjacentsprocket pinion 65 to the driving chain. 68. This chain passes overthe-two sprockets 65-65 and down under the central part of the barrelfor supporting and rotating the latter in conjunction with the hubsupport 56. The chain tracks in a hoop 69 which is secured around thecircum ference of the barrel substantially midway between its ends. Thishoop is of channel section having outwardly extending flanges 70 toprevent lateral displacement of the chain from the hoop. it will beapparent ing that by reason of the rotation of the barrel any water orconcrete flowing along the outer surface of the barrel resulting fromtipping orother-wise, will run out over the adjacent flange of the hoopand. onto the chain unless provision is made for allowing'such Water orconcrete to pass freely past the hoop 69. This I accomplish by spacing'the hoop out of contact with the circumference of the barrel. Thus, thewater andcement is permitted to flow through openings in thewashers 72.These bolts, or

studs are preferably extended through the barrel for receiving nuts 75or for having their inner ends riveted over on the inside of the barrel.The outer ends of these studs or bolts are formed} with wedged shapedheads 76v which lie in the bottom of the channel hoop 69 and are adaptedto engage as lugs or teeth in the links of the chain 68 therebycooperating with the hoop to form a sprocket. By this arrangement, apositive drive is also secured between the chain 68 and the barrel 17.It will be apparent that the present spaced hoop may i be in the formofa gear or other driving member for other driving systems. I

It will be noted that as a result of the foregoing construction, theengine 41 issupported at a low point relative to the wheels 39 so thatlateral stability of the trailer is maintained to prevent possibletipping of the trailer on-lateral inclines or as a result of rapidhauling. The location of the engine at the hitching end of thetrailer isalso advantageous, in that it in-.

sures that the dropped end of the trailer will remain'on the ground aainst any overbalancing tendency caused y the .rotation or. inclinationof the mixing barrel. The engine 41 is disposed centrally on thetrailerframe, and similarly, by extending the axis of the mixing barrel 17parallel with the length of the frame, this barrel can be centrallydisposed relative to the frame so that the lateral balance of thevehicle is substantiaiiy perfect. The chain support of the barrelafi'ords added resiliency to the mounting of the barrel. By supportingthe barrel in the elevated position shown at the rear end of thetrailer,

' mouth of the barrel is readily accessible to wheelbarrows placeddirectly in 'the rear of the trailer.

ders for receiving and spaced attaching means forming teeth thedischarge I claim: v

In combination, a concrete mixer, a driving chain having operativeengagement w th said mixer, a hoop Jmounted on-said mixer and havingradially extending shoulsaid chain therebetween for engagement by thelinks of thechain,

and means for spacing said hoop from said mixer circumferentially.

2. In a concrete mixer, the combination of a rotating barrel, a channelhoop encircling said barrel, a driving chain engaging in said hoop forrotating said barrel, and means for spacing said hoop from thecircumference of said barrel, said means ineluding lugs forming teethprojecting into the hoop for engagement by the links ofthe chain.

3. In a concrete mixer, the combination of a rotating barrel, a chainfor driving said barrel, a hoop mounted on said barrel for receivingsaid chain, and bolt members serving to attach said hoo to said barrel,saidbolt members having lieads projecting from said hoop and meshingwith said chain for establishing apositive' driving connection .betweensaid chain and said barrel.

. 4. In a concrete mixer, a frame, a suitable mixing container rotatablysupported in the fra me,'a hoop mounted on the mixing container andsecured at spaced points in spaced relation to the periphery thereof,said spaced securing means forming teeth, an endless drive chain engagedaround the hoop and with said teet h,.and means for actuating said drivechain.

5 In a concrete mixer, the combination of a rotating mixing container, achain for driving said container, a hoop mounted on said container inspaced relation to its periphery for receiving said chain, and boltmembers securing said hoop to said barrel at spaced points and havingheads projectingoutwardly therefrom to engage certain links of thechain, whereby the container may be rotated upon actuation of the chain.

6. In a concrete mixer, a rotatable mixing container, a toothed s rocket.wheel arranged aronnd thGCOIltfllIlGI and uniformly spaced from theperiphery thereof throughout the circumference to provide an annularspace therebetween, spaced securing means between the container andsprocket wheel and a drive chain engaged on the sprocket wheel.

. 7. In a mixer of the class described, a frame, a mixing containerrotatably supported in the frame and having sloping walls, a channelhoop encircling the mixing container intermediately of its length, boltsconnecting the hoop to the mixing container at'spaced points, spacingmeans mounted on the bolts between thehoop and the periphery of thecontainer, the bolts having wedgeshaped heads projecting into thechannel of the hoop and a suitably driven chain engaged around the hoopand meshing said heads.

8. In a concrete mixer, the combination of a rotatin barrel, a channelhoop encircling said barrel, a flexible driving chain engaging in saidhoop for rotating said barrel, and means forsecuring the hoop to thebarrel and forming teeth for engagement by the chain, said means spacingsaid hoop from the circumference of said barrel throughout the entireperiphery of the latter, whereby to provide a space through whichconcrete material flowing on the ex terior surfaceof the barrel maypassto prewith -vent the same coagulating on the exterior of thehoop anddrive member.

9.'In aconcrete mixer, the combination of a rotating barrel, a chain fordriving said barrel, a hoop around and spaced from JOHN G. WYNN. Y

